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LONDON COLLEGE OF MEDICINE.
687
it a
prepared at a certain place, and being I recommending his patients to get his prestranger to London she wished to know scriptions prepared at a certain house, but
he
if she had come to the right house. The literally, it would appear, compels his pashe received was, that I was con- tients to go whither he thinks proper, or in standy in the habit of preparing prescrip- word, if they do not think proper to go tions for medical gentlemen, but I could not whither he directs, they must go without pretend to say if Dr. Hall had directed her medicine, for I flatter myself that no medito bring it to our house. After she had cal man would attempt to prepare a prewhich may be legible but not comhesitated a few moments, and again repeatit at It remains for me now, Sir, to to have the her prehensible. prepared anxiety ing for having obtruded so much on place Dr. Hall had taken so much pains to direct her, she consented to my dispensing your valuable pages ; and allow me to say it it for her, and took a seat with the intention you think the length of my communication of waiting until it was finished, but judge of too great for the importance of the subject, my surprise, Mr. Editor, when I arrived at you are perfectly at liberty to curtail it in the second line, to find a formula which is any way you may think proper-my only neither contained in the London, Edin burgh, desire being to shame the offenders, and to nor Dublin pharmacopoeias, and the know. crush the vile system of the percentageledge of which, 1 presume, is only worthy mongers. I am, Sir, your very obedient of being known by the head of him who servant, S.R. prescribed it, and the hands of him who was destined to dispense it. I need scarcely London, 1831. say at that moment I was convinced that the patient had made a mistake in the house, and I likewise as soon accounted for the LONDON COLLEGE OF MEDICINE. trouble which the doctor had taken in inher where to I immediately OBJECTIONS TO THE UNIVERSAL TITLE OF structing go. " began asking her if she could not remember DOCTOR." the name of any of.the streets the doctor had mentioned, and whilst I was in conversaTo the Editor Of THE LANCET. tion with her my thumb and finger happened to unroll one of the corners of the preSIR,—Living, as wedo, in the age of scription which had been previously curled medical reform, it would be well for us to up, when my eyes were instantly struck recollect, that it is less difficult to be conwith the womls, "4, Thayer Street." Think- vinced of the necessity of reform, than to ing possibly that might be the patient’s define the nature of that change which would residence, I inquired if Dr. Hall mentioned beneficially and permanently influence the the name of Thayer Street to her ? She whole medical community. Salutary reform jumped up, and exclaimed does not, in my opinion, consist in removing " That was the street, Sir ! " Is this not it? every impediment for the purpose of estaI answered no, returned her the prescrip- blishing perfect equality ; nor is the leveltion, and directed her the nearest way to ling system carried to a fearful extent, at all find it. You will not be surprised, Sir, compatible with the best interests of the when I inform you that on the first oppor- profession. The physician, by lording it tunity I made a point of walking into Thayer over the general practitioner, has brought Street to ascertain who resided at No. 4, and retaliation on himself, by driving the latter found a person of the name of Howlett, who to trample under foot the barrier which has answer
a
scription
apologise
immediately
calls himself a chemist, occupyingg that house. so long and so unjustly separated them. Here, Sir, my curiosity ceased, feeling This, in all likelihood, would not have been assured the patient could not have failed to consummated thus early, had not a large have found out Mr. Howlett’s after the uti- number of the physicians of this kingdom rections 1 gave her for proceeding to Thayer practised as such by virtue of the Scotch Street. I happened to relate the eircum- diploma, an instrument which confers a stance to a friend the following day, who a superior degree, whilst the person who holds short time ago was living in the neighbour- it is nominally elevated above the class of
l.ood of Manchester Square, who immedi- general practitioners to which he had hiately replied, I perfectly recollect once therto belonged, without his elevatiou being hearing Mr. Howlett express his delight at characterisfd by a single iota of talent or the prospect of having all Dr. Marshall acquirement to which others of his class Hall’s prescriptions to prepare." might not lay claim. Thus a degree of Now, Mr. Editor, having given you a full jealousy has been engendered; the man detail of the case, allow me to ask, Is this who was formerly an equal (and is still conduct proper on the part of Dr. M. Hall ? equal, if not inferior in point of knowledge), for it appears he is not contented with poc- all at once arrogates to himself the right to keting his fees; he is not contented with superiority of judgment, as well as lays "
688 on the part off dent result. I am ready to admit, that evea Thus goaded, thus! the general allowance of the fellowship is harassed, is it to be wondered at, that thosefully equivalent in point of respectability from whom such fealty is exacted, should,, to the defunct Scotch-dub system; but it in process of time, rusu ;with unboundedt should be recollected, that whilst we are impetuosity on their oppressorsThe effect; conscientiously engaged in attempting the of this has been the inevitable destruction1 removal of corrupt monopoly and corrupt of,—I had almost said imaginary distinc-. practices, whilst by our united strength we tions among us, whilst out of the ruins hasiare bringing destruction on the polluted risen that beacon of hope," the LondonI temple, by fearlessly rooting up its pillars ; College of Medicine. Its founders, how-.I say it would be well for us to consider, ever, intoxicated by the zeal which enabledwhilst the thunder, loud as that of the Vatithem to break their " withs " asunder, have; can, is abroad, whether or not we are likely shot beyond the mark, which, in their hoursto become participators in the general devasof cool and deliberate judgment, they wouldI tation. I cannot help thinking with your not have exceeded. I argue not against con-contemporary Dr. Johnson, that this mouveferring the title of" Doctors" on its fellows,ment" in the profession should not bc held but I argue against its indiscriminate adop- 11 too cheap :" if it be, those who rally tion. The prospective object of the College round the standard of victory will have is, to admit to its fellowships those whoachieved no triumph. If we despoil our shall be found competent, no matter where,, adversaries, let us not tarnish our laurels by how, or when, their information has been distributing them among such as cannot obtained. This is in direct opposition topossibly be interested in the achievements the illiberal spirit of the College of Physi- of the " battle-field ;" who cannot, with the cians, which1 has a regard to the wlcere and least shadow ofj ustice, claim a participation the when medical knowledge has been at- in the contemplated honour. The exclamn. tained, and also has an especial regard to tion, "Opus hœc victorict nostrum est," will the admission fee. So far so good, c’est qu’ilavail but little, if the trophies of the con. faut. This is striking monopoly on the querer are to be divided amongst a whole head, and opening the door liberally to the community. Should the doctorate be placed student, who has the advantage of obtaining within the reach of such as can produce no his degree after a strict examination, and on proofs of qualincation, its being thus easily terms well adapted to his pecuniary circum- obtained will, 1 fear, detract from, rather stances ; they then seek to found the Col- than add weight to, the professional characI wish the College every success, and, lege, by at once breaking through this excellent enactment, by the admission of all as a proof of this, have shown my anxiety persons who have hitherto been legally in for its welfare, by demonstrating to your practice. If the College fellows are here- readers the part where I conceive it to be after to consist of gentlemen who have the most vulnerable. passed " searching "examinations," is it not I have the honour to be, Sir, reasonable to admit before the general con. vocation, such only as have passedan ordeal, Yours respectfully, although that ordeal may not have been exthe commensurate with actly prescribed June 29th, 1831. forms of the College ? It does not strike me to be fair to place on a level those who have passed medical or surgical examina[The clause to which our correspondent tions with those who have not, by at reters, furnishes to the committee a discreonce and adopting tionary power, which we are confident will sweeping away distinctions, the universal title of 1, Doctor." Before not be abused. After much deep attention the year 1815, there was no law which pre- had been bestowed on the subject, it WM vented any one practising the medical pro- found that there was no "rule of admission" fession, no matter whether he had served so convenient for adoption, or so just in its an apprenticeship or as that which prescribed the passed an examination ; yet such is the fact, that those who have, in legal right to practise."] common with those who have not. passed examinations, are to be recoguised by the London College of Medicine by the general appellative of’ " Doctor." I am afraid this TIIE ELEEMOSYNARY FUND. will not do. I know many respectable men who, on such terms, will not accept the diploma, and I take it the College must To the Editor of THE LANCET. found its security on the respectability of members ; if it seeks any other foundation, SIR,—Allow me to suggest that the DamE’ there can be but one opinion as to the evi- eleemosynary, or anv other term embracino
claim to the
a
tacit submission
general practitioner.
ter.
operation,
its
I
it a
prepared at a certain place, and being I recommending his patients to get his prestranger to London she wished to know scriptions prepared at a certain house, but
he
if she had come to the right house. The literally, it would appear, compels his pashe received was, that I was con- tients to go whither he thinks proper, or in standy in the habit of preparing prescrip- word, if they do not think proper to go tions for medical gentlemen, but I could not whither he directs, they must go without pretend to say if Dr. Hall had directed her medicine, for I flatter myself that no medito bring it to our house. After she had cal man would attempt to prepare a prewhich may be legible but not comhesitated a few moments, and again repeatit at It remains for me now, Sir, to to have the her prehensible. prepared anxiety ing for having obtruded so much on place Dr. Hall had taken so much pains to direct her, she consented to my dispensing your valuable pages ; and allow me to say it it for her, and took a seat with the intention you think the length of my communication of waiting until it was finished, but judge of too great for the importance of the subject, my surprise, Mr. Editor, when I arrived at you are perfectly at liberty to curtail it in the second line, to find a formula which is any way you may think proper-my only neither contained in the London, Edin burgh, desire being to shame the offenders, and to nor Dublin pharmacopoeias, and the know. crush the vile system of the percentageledge of which, 1 presume, is only worthy mongers. I am, Sir, your very obedient of being known by the head of him who servant, S.R. prescribed it, and the hands of him who was destined to dispense it. I need scarcely London, 1831. say at that moment I was convinced that the patient had made a mistake in the house, and I likewise as soon accounted for the LONDON COLLEGE OF MEDICINE. trouble which the doctor had taken in inher where to I immediately OBJECTIONS TO THE UNIVERSAL TITLE OF structing go. " began asking her if she could not remember DOCTOR." the name of any of.the streets the doctor had mentioned, and whilst I was in conversaTo the Editor Of THE LANCET. tion with her my thumb and finger happened to unroll one of the corners of the preSIR,—Living, as wedo, in the age of scription which had been previously curled medical reform, it would be well for us to up, when my eyes were instantly struck recollect, that it is less difficult to be conwith the womls, "4, Thayer Street." Think- vinced of the necessity of reform, than to ing possibly that might be the patient’s define the nature of that change which would residence, I inquired if Dr. Hall mentioned beneficially and permanently influence the the name of Thayer Street to her ? She whole medical community. Salutary reform jumped up, and exclaimed does not, in my opinion, consist in removing " That was the street, Sir ! " Is this not it? every impediment for the purpose of estaI answered no, returned her the prescrip- blishing perfect equality ; nor is the leveltion, and directed her the nearest way to ling system carried to a fearful extent, at all find it. You will not be surprised, Sir, compatible with the best interests of the when I inform you that on the first oppor- profession. The physician, by lording it tunity I made a point of walking into Thayer over the general practitioner, has brought Street to ascertain who resided at No. 4, and retaliation on himself, by driving the latter found a person of the name of Howlett, who to trample under foot the barrier which has answer
a
scription
apologise
immediately
calls himself a chemist, occupyingg that house. so long and so unjustly separated them. Here, Sir, my curiosity ceased, feeling This, in all likelihood, would not have been assured the patient could not have failed to consummated thus early, had not a large have found out Mr. Howlett’s after the uti- number of the physicians of this kingdom rections 1 gave her for proceeding to Thayer practised as such by virtue of the Scotch Street. I happened to relate the eircum- diploma, an instrument which confers a stance to a friend the following day, who a superior degree, whilst the person who holds short time ago was living in the neighbour- it is nominally elevated above the class of
l.ood of Manchester Square, who immedi- general practitioners to which he had hiately replied, I perfectly recollect once therto belonged, without his elevatiou being hearing Mr. Howlett express his delight at characterisfd by a single iota of talent or the prospect of having all Dr. Marshall acquirement to which others of his class Hall’s prescriptions to prepare." might not lay claim. Thus a degree of Now, Mr. Editor, having given you a full jealousy has been engendered; the man detail of the case, allow me to ask, Is this who was formerly an equal (and is still conduct proper on the part of Dr. M. Hall ? equal, if not inferior in point of knowledge), for it appears he is not contented with poc- all at once arrogates to himself the right to keting his fees; he is not contented with superiority of judgment, as well as lays "
688 on the part off dent result. I am ready to admit, that evea Thus goaded, thus! the general allowance of the fellowship is harassed, is it to be wondered at, that thosefully equivalent in point of respectability from whom such fealty is exacted, should,, to the defunct Scotch-dub system; but it in process of time, rusu ;with unboundedt should be recollected, that whilst we are impetuosity on their oppressorsThe effect; conscientiously engaged in attempting the of this has been the inevitable destruction1 removal of corrupt monopoly and corrupt of,—I had almost said imaginary distinc-. practices, whilst by our united strength we tions among us, whilst out of the ruins hasiare bringing destruction on the polluted risen that beacon of hope," the LondonI temple, by fearlessly rooting up its pillars ; College of Medicine. Its founders, how-.I say it would be well for us to consider, ever, intoxicated by the zeal which enabledwhilst the thunder, loud as that of the Vatithem to break their " withs " asunder, have; can, is abroad, whether or not we are likely shot beyond the mark, which, in their hoursto become participators in the general devasof cool and deliberate judgment, they wouldI tation. I cannot help thinking with your not have exceeded. I argue not against con-contemporary Dr. Johnson, that this mouveferring the title of" Doctors" on its fellows,ment" in the profession should not bc held but I argue against its indiscriminate adop- 11 too cheap :" if it be, those who rally tion. The prospective object of the College round the standard of victory will have is, to admit to its fellowships those whoachieved no triumph. If we despoil our shall be found competent, no matter where,, adversaries, let us not tarnish our laurels by how, or when, their information has been distributing them among such as cannot obtained. This is in direct opposition topossibly be interested in the achievements the illiberal spirit of the College of Physi- of the " battle-field ;" who cannot, with the cians, which1 has a regard to the wlcere and least shadow ofj ustice, claim a participation the when medical knowledge has been at- in the contemplated honour. The exclamn. tained, and also has an especial regard to tion, "Opus hœc victorict nostrum est," will the admission fee. So far so good, c’est qu’ilavail but little, if the trophies of the con. faut. This is striking monopoly on the querer are to be divided amongst a whole head, and opening the door liberally to the community. Should the doctorate be placed student, who has the advantage of obtaining within the reach of such as can produce no his degree after a strict examination, and on proofs of qualincation, its being thus easily terms well adapted to his pecuniary circum- obtained will, 1 fear, detract from, rather stances ; they then seek to found the Col- than add weight to, the professional characI wish the College every success, and, lege, by at once breaking through this excellent enactment, by the admission of all as a proof of this, have shown my anxiety persons who have hitherto been legally in for its welfare, by demonstrating to your practice. If the College fellows are here- readers the part where I conceive it to be after to consist of gentlemen who have the most vulnerable. passed " searching "examinations," is it not I have the honour to be, Sir, reasonable to admit before the general con. vocation, such only as have passedan ordeal, Yours respectfully, although that ordeal may not have been exthe commensurate with actly prescribed June 29th, 1831. forms of the College ? It does not strike me to be fair to place on a level those who have passed medical or surgical examina[The clause to which our correspondent tions with those who have not, by at reters, furnishes to the committee a discreonce and adopting tionary power, which we are confident will sweeping away distinctions, the universal title of 1, Doctor." Before not be abused. After much deep attention the year 1815, there was no law which pre- had been bestowed on the subject, it WM vented any one practising the medical pro- found that there was no "rule of admission" fession, no matter whether he had served so convenient for adoption, or so just in its an apprenticeship or as that which prescribed the passed an examination ; yet such is the fact, that those who have, in legal right to practise."] common with those who have not. passed examinations, are to be recoguised by the London College of Medicine by the general appellative of’ " Doctor." I am afraid this TIIE ELEEMOSYNARY FUND. will not do. I know many respectable men who, on such terms, will not accept the diploma, and I take it the College must To the Editor of THE LANCET. found its security on the respectability of members ; if it seeks any other foundation, SIR,—Allow me to suggest that the DamE’ there can be but one opinion as to the evi- eleemosynary, or anv other term embracino
claim to the
a
tacit submission
general practitioner.
ter.
operation,
its
I